Riggo's Rag
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Top five receivers for Redskins to target in 2020 NFL free agency

By Jacob Camenker

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 04: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 04, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 04: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 04, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 13: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 13: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on against Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images) /

56. . Wide Receiver. Cincinnati Bengals. A.J. Green. 4. player

A.J. Green is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL when healthy. Unfortunately, the veteran hasn’t been able to stay that ways over the course of the past two seasons. And that’s why he checks in at the No. 4 spot on this list.

Green has played in just nine of 32 games for the Cincinnati Bengals since 2018. This includes missing all of the 2019 season after he suffered an ankle injury during training camp that he could never quite overcome. The previous season, a toe injury sidelined him for about half of the year.

Before injuries really derailed his career, Green was a 1,000-yard receiver in six of his seven seasons with the Bengals. The only time he wasn’t was in 2016 which is the only other season that he has missed six-plus games. Green made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons and had at least 100 targets every year as well.

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Green still has a lot of talent. He can catch virtually any ball thrown his way thanks to his athletic 6-foot-4 frame and has the speed needed to burn defensive backs as well. He is the full package, but it’s worth wondering if the foot/ankle issues have sapped him of his skills a little bit. And Green will turn 32 before the start of the 2020 season, so he could decline a bit if that’s the case.

Still, Green could have plenty left in the tank. And he would provide the Redskins with an excellent complement to McLaurin. A healthy Green and McLaurin combination would give the ‘Skins two No. 1 receivers and opposing teams could struggle to deal with that. But because of the injury risk, this would be far from guaranteed.

Green may prefer to stay in Cincinnati. And if he leaves, he may join a contender on a shorter-term deal in hopes of staying healthy and earning one more big payday before he calls it quits. The Redskins should still be interested and Green and could reach out to him. But given his cost and injury potential, there are some other options that might be a bit better for the squad.

UPDATE: The Bengals have used the franchise tag on Green.

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